According to Alan Nixon, Manchester United talent James Garner could head on loan to Swansea City amid links to Preston North End.
It’s claimed that the Swans hope to agree a season-long deal for Garner, with the aim of getting him in this summer. Boss Steve Cooper knows Garner from England youth coaching, and hopes that will win him the race.
That exact factor helped Swansea win the race for Rhian Brewster in January, so lightning could strike twice. Sheffield Wednesday are also thought to be keen on taking Garner on loan.
Back in October, Mike McGrath stated that Preston wanted to take Garner on loan. No move materialised in January, but could North End come back into the race?
At the time of the initial rumour, it made little sense for Garner to join North End. Alex Neil had Ben Pearson, Paul Gallagher, Daniel Johnson, Alan Browne, Ryan Ledson and Brad Potts available in midfield. Bringing in 19-year-old Garner wouldn’t have made much sense.
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Yet with just one year left on Pearson’s deal, could Garner be a target again? Pearson is likely to be sold this summer if North End don’t go up, and his exit would leave a huge hole in midfield.
Pearson himself thrived at Deepdale having moved from Manchester United, so why not go back to that well? Garner would only be a loan rather than a permanent move, but the teenager has shown glimpses of quality in the United first team.
If Pearson leaves, it’s hard to see Preston splashing the cash on a replacement. With Garner seemingly available on loan, he would make much more sense in that situation than he did in October – though beating Swansea won’t be easy.